Euthanasia in Cats in a Clinical Setting

Euthanasia is a term used to describe the ending of the life of an animal in a manner that minimizes pain, anxiety, and distress. The American Association of Feline Practitioners defines death resulting from compassionate and humane euthanasia as the unfortunate and unavoidable consequence of the need to end suffering.1 In veterinary medicine, euthanasia is the accepted solution to end pain and suffering when the cause for the suffering cannot be corrected.2